South Sudan forces say ‘rebel leader killed’

20/12/2011 23:30

Rebel leader George Athor was killed during clashes with soldiers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) announced Riek Machar, the Vice-President of South Sudan on Tuesday. In a statement he said that Athor was killed during a clash with border patrols of the South Sudanese Army when he tried to enter South Sudan on a trip back from the Democratic Republic of Congo. One SPLA soldier was reported killed and another injured. George Athor left the SPLA in 2010, accusing the SPLM of rigging elections after he lost elections in Jonglei state. He formed a rebellion against the Government of South Sudan and pledged in November to continue to fight them after their truce collapsed.

Rebel leader George Athor was killed during clashes with soldiers from the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) announced Riek Machar, the Vice-President of South Sudan on Tuesday.

In a statement he said that Athor was killed during a clash with border patrols of the South Sudanese Army when he tried to enter South Sudan on a trip back from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

One SPLA soldier was reported killed and another injured.

George Athor left the SPLA in 2010, accusing the SPLM of rigging elections after he lost elections in Jonglei state.

He formed a rebellion against the Government of South Sudan and pledged in November to continue to fight them after their truce collapsed.